Gallery

(BaseballStL) - Trevor Rosenthal didn't pout or get upset when manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Derek Lilliquist informed him during closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon that they were moving him back to the bullpen to start the season.

"I told them I was excited to do it," Rosenthal said. "It will be exciting to have that role that I had last year and I'll look to continue that this year and help out any way possible and hopefully down the line have the opportunity to start again but right now just do whatever they ask of me."

Rosenthal became a serious weapon out of the Cardinals bullpen late last season and in October after being promoted straight from Double-A. He entered spring training fighting with Shelby Miller and Joe Kelly to be the fifth starter in the rotation but his dominance in the postseason last year (when he had 14 strikeouts to just two hits in 8 2/3 innings) could have played against him.

And after the initial disappointment wore off, getting back into that late-inning role has Rosenthal excited.

"I'm not too disappointed," Rosenthal said. "Anytime I have an opportunity to help out the team it's exciting. I think it's a good fit and I look forward to getting started.

"It was so exciting last year, the role that I had. I know the bullpen will look a little bit different but having opportunities to contribute in different situations in innings six through nine, to come in and fill some different roles, it's exciting."

Added Rosenthal, "Having the opportunity to pitch every day and just the opportunity to play for a winning club and be a part of that is very special....You'd much rather be here at this level contributing any way you can."